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6 Things to Consider when Planning a Safari in East Africa

When planning a safari in East Africa, there are 6 Untold things that you should consider for 2014. These are additional things to add on what you know when planning a trip to East Africa; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda.

1. What shoes to carry?

Carry safari boots with hard sole, you will know the use when you get involved in a jungle/forest walk and when tracking chimps and Gorillas. Especially during Gorilla tracking which involves making paths in a thick tropical forest, and the sloppy terrains, your shoes determine you stability.

2. Wardrobe do’s and don’ts

Ensure to pack a jersey and jeans to keep you warm when needed, and during gorilla tracking to prevent you from getting scratches when walking through thick forest. Be mindful of the color too, preferable are mild colors like dark green, kaki. Black and white should be excluding while parking for a safari in East Africa, the former can heat you and the latter is easily noticeable by animals and so you will not have a competitive advantage to see sensitive animals. More to that, cotton fabrics can be compromised,

3. How to protect your camera

Carry a water proof bag or cover for the camera, as sometimes it rains while on safari, this can hinder taking memorable pictures or damage your camera if you dare. Don’t take chances !!!

4. Consider children below 15 years

Those traveling with children especially below 15 years discuss it with a tour operator to ensure that children are well catered for. For example chimpanzee and gorilla tracking is not allowed for the under 15, this means children will be left idle and insecure, remember these exercises especially gorilla tracking can take up to the whole day, it can be so irritating for the children especially if left behind. What is the solution to this? Engage the children by organizing an extra activity or select accommodation facilities that children playing facilities.

5. Expectations

East Africa is not a first world region, expect things like bumpy, dusty or sometimes muddy. Dishes sometimes are not prepared as it is done in first world countries, yes most tourist accommodation facilities try really hard to match the standard, but just in case so you know. Before you travel discuss all this with your agent to avoid frustrations. Off course this does not mean that services should be compromised, but to let you know, the hard truth, so keep a bit flexible.

6. Do you need a visa?

Yes, formerly one had to get a visa for each of these countries, now history has changed, it has gotten better, with one single visa you can transverse the whole of East Africa with ease and without incurring additional costs for visa. A single East African tourist will be effective 2014, applicable in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania & Burundi.